By Sani Babba
As the saying goes Na gari Na Kowa, a deep rooted tree stand out tall for years while a shallow rooted appears fragile and collapsible.
A great mind like Jet, his achievements are celebrated by group of persons with conviction for excellence as virtues.
I am settled in my dispositions that by very nature, there are certain inner qualities that human nature and moral standing hardly dismisses, i.e Intellectual, bravery and man who is exceptionally just, such consideration is being counted regardless of creed, faith, sentiment of background or political leaning.
These attributes are known and worthy of celebrating among human race whether in direct contact or mere seen otherwise with the likelihood to cherish and admire those characteristics without inhibitions.
The Office of the Secretary to the Government at both State and Federal level are the most important office among all the Government Offices, no matter the size or category of the Ministry, kindly recall with reference that no matter the size of the Ministry, it has only one Permanent Secretary, but the SGF or SSG do have five (5) number of the Permanent Secretaries, strategically placed to move the machineries of the State from policies, mission/ vision, diplomacy,local administration, security, Government program and implementations.
Therefore, this type of office is extraordinarily required highly skilled, experienced, capable and competent personality who adored merit to drive the process for better service delivery.
The sterling qualities already possessed and built over the years by Mallam Farouk, which was acquired not by accident or incidences of opportunism, is a good credentials for the office holders of such position.
I have no doubt in my mind that Mallam Farouk is the material for that owing to his years of devotion to excellence, intellect, experience, dedication to duty, hardwork and indeed , a proven integrity.
Farouk Jet as we fondly called him by all and sundry, has a conviction of his worth far back days when he was growing in service.
His name in the public service is a household name which has been resonating even after his honorable exit from service.
He is an encyclopedia with the highest institutional memory as far as the public service and administrative knowledge is concerned.
At his side with an eagle eyes, there is no spotless paper without being embellished and no excuse of non delivery of result is given before his Bosses , however, adding value remain his hallmark in any submissions he came across.
By and large, those qualities endeared him most in the eye of his principals exemplified as a person to reckon with in service.
He is just too meticulous with the high institutional memory, quality in service delivery and substance in output. Our senior in administrative circle may understand me.better, but even in common parlance Mallam Farouk is a beacon of hope and intellectual octopus.
I wish to digress a bit for the benefit of the politicians that the successes recorded by many past administrations lies with the quality of strategic appointment of reputable civil servants in the key positions normally the machinery of the State both at Federal and State Government as well especially the seat of SGF or SSG.
It is only in recent times that we are witnessing the upsurge of appointing non key actors in public service to man offices of SGF or SSG, which came with the damning instances of lethargy, misdirection and the likely result of the abysmal performance or at worst case scenarios motion without movement.
Example of such misfit is saturating our governance across the tiers of Government with reference to the Office of the Secretary to the Government.
Let me remind ourselves that the politics is for the politicians while the administration should be domiciled and supported by refined and astute administrator like Mallam Farouk.
My candid advice to Mallam Farouk under this new task is to apply tact, wisdom and flexibility given the fact that the arena is full of banana peels and slippery floor , such a difficult terrain requires extra caution and prayers to survive for one to achieve greatness and come out stainless.
History would not forget in a hurry the mammoth contributions of the giant administrative officers that excelled in service most of whom later became Secretaries to the Government at both State and Federal Governments, beautifully recall with joy the likes of Wazirin Jama’a, Aminu Saleh, Gidado Idris, Olu falae, Afot Ekette, Yayale Ahmed, Ibrahim Baba, Sule Yahaya Hamma, among others, gleefully and brilliantly performed wonders changing the fortunes of their States on the path to progress , prosperity and the nation building in general.
Finally, our hope and expectations about you are high, may the Almighty Allah hold onto your hands for guidance, Amin ya Hayyu ya Qayyum. …..My humble contribution Sarkin Fadar Makaman Kano
